Harvest Half week in Calgary

This is the running station, I only get on a train here twice a year. Once after the Calgary Marathon, and at package pick-up the week before the Harvest Half Marathon. 

It's the time of year at the end of summer that work and life in general gets busier and there's more stress going around. So in one sense, this race comes at the right time. A fitting finale to the end of the main running season, I've done it every year I've been a runner since 2009. 

Training has brought on the feeling of burnout. I'm on the Hansons' half training schedule, very similar to that of their full marathon programme. It seems that two training cycles of 6 runs and 70-95k a week are too much in a year. Feeling close to injury, it's been quite a balancing act. I'm doing less in the final 2 weeks than the plan specifies. 

Once more then, I have no idea how race day will go. Will I be feeling too flat to put in a great performance, or will I match the dizzying heights of 2012 - 1:26:48 and 7th place? 

The Harvest Half has the best views of any race in Calgary. It's like running through 2 countries - the middle 12.5 k in Fish Creek Park starts in pine forest and ends up in wide open scrub dotted with birch trees in a valley between ancient buffalo jumps. Towards the end of Fish Creek, the route passes Ranche House, probably Calgary's oldest original building and a key part of the city's history. Add to that neighbourhoods either side of the park of 2 distinct eras. 

It's challenging with continuous elevation gain from 1.5 to 5 k and a 500 metre hill at 17k, Sikome Hill. The moment of truth comes after that hill - finishing kick, or all matches burned getting to and up the hill? I've had both. Last year I had the latter, being too far ahead just before Sikome. This time around, I'll try to go a little slower in order to have some warp drive left for the finish. 

Overall though, this local event with 1,000 runners is a beautiful day that helps me remember what running and life is all about. Who wouldn't want to run it? 

Calgary Corporate Challenge 10k

This race came as a slight relief from feeling quite a bit of training burn out. Just 4 weeks until the Harvest Half, so near the peak. 

I was talked into this race, so have tried to fit it into training. The results are done by company team, with companies in divisions according to size. 

Teams were either 4 or 6. In our group of 6, I figured I was the second fastest, after Ken, right, who has 2 sub-3 hour marathons to his name. 

Also lining up was Rich (above, in yellow) with a different company. We have very similar PBs, apart from the marathon in which he's 5 minutes ahead. 

It was seemingly the last day of summer, with a 3 day winter preview the very next day. I was sweating at the startline for this though. 

Inclines and twists everywhere except the first 2k and the second from last k were going to make for a tough race. I didn't take up running because it was easy. Roar. 

One of the most crowded startlines I've been in. 

A chicane, and the road down to the pathway to the dam. The end of the race would be back up this road. 

Remembering the angle of the decline would have been a great help for the finish. Like for many others perhaps, that kind of thing only works if it's in my mind before the start gun. 

Over the dam, over Glenmore Trail, then along twisty up and down pathways which must be thrilling on a bike. For a 10k they're a bit energy sapping. 

Turnaround, wave to Rich, back the way we all came and then up Glenmore Trail's never ending slight incline. Just under 20 minutes at halfway, I felt that I would probably miss a sub-40. The leader, no doubt cheating, was already heading over the second bridge back over Glenmore Trail, 1.5k ahead. 

About 100 metres of down-ishhill, then more climbing to ensure that over 40 minute time. During all this I was gradually narrowing the gap to Rich. As I was doing so I thought "he's more fatigued than me." By the time I was right with him at the second bridge I thought, "I'm in much worse shape than him." 

Coming off the bridge I actually dropped back a little. Now on the only other section without an incline, I checked my form and made good use of the downhill to catch up again when we left the road to the path which rejoined the start of the course after about 200m. 

On the way down to rejoin the main road, we both had one runner in the middle of the side road to pass. There were cars coming the other way, so I went the other side of Rich and sped up to overtake and tuck back in safely. In doing this I passed Rich. "Oh, I'm doing this now?" 

Turning onto the main road, about 500 metres to go and it was a lot steeper than it had been the other way at the start. I had already figured I'd burned too many matches by 6k, now I knew I was burning my last one. With what seemed to me like the hill getting steeper, I let my pace drop. Alongside came Ken whom I had seen at the second bridge catching up. Some motivating words from him which I can't exactly remember had me pick the pace back up while saying "override" to myself. 10 seconds later, my breathing quickened. Override. A few more seconds and I was almost hyperventilating. "Override" only works for so long, but I am honestly glad for the experience and discovery. I am my own lab on legs. 

Rich also came past with a nice finishing kick. "Come on Peter!" "Huurrrch." 40:22 was in the end about what I had been expecting. Catching Rich had made me keep my speed up for the second half of the race. He later said that me joining him, and later having me to overtake at the end kept him pushing. 

Ken had used me as a target to catch, and might have otherwise backed off a little too, so he said. 

Rich's company won its division. We have a history of trying to beat the other, and it's about even. When we do battle, we tend to both finish with a better time than we would have got otherwise. 

Could I have beaten him if I had stayed behind up the hill? Perhaps. I also went too early in the Banff Ekiden last year and was passed on the final hill. So either pass very early with a high pace, easier said than done, or wait until the end. The shorter the race, the shorter the finishing kick? It's not an aspect of running I'm that expert on. Next race that I'm in this position, hopefully I'll have a timely flashback. The below photo is probably what'll end up coming to mind, so that's up in the air.

My company won its division by 1:20, and pushing hard might then have made the difference. Our next guy, Garrett was a minute further back. Star of the team for me was Jennifer who finished in around 42:40. Our other ladies achieved the aims, including Diana, getting 1:01 in her first ever 10k. A winning team, and also my first non-relay team event. When's the next one?

Toe-Watch! Beijing-Reggae-Back strain! (& next race)

Toe job

3 months after the Calgary Marathon, I thought my toenail would've dropped off by now. The bottom half is all that remains discoloured. Is that the new nail growing? Or is it the clotted blood moving up as the original nail grows? I will just leave it alone and wait for whatever, er, awaits.

Beijing reggae in Calgary

I went to Reggae Fest a couple of weeks ago. Running wise, I strained my lower back from too much sitting down on a downward sloping grass bank. Nothing too serious. 

I was there to see a favourite band of mine. Collecting Chinese music is a hobby of mine, so it was wonderful that Longshendao, China's only reggae band, would come to play in Calgary. They were a bit bewildered by me, the Canadian superfan. Most of the crowd were there to see the much better known Jamaican bands. 

Best moment: the smiling festival organizer and in turn shook hands with all the band members and myself on hearing me speak mandarin to them: "I don't think we've met?" "Peter... oh, I'm not in the group, just came to say hi to my favourite band." Upon hearing those last 2 words, they all paused and looked at each other. 

Just for a few seconds, I was "with the band". 

Hard training

Half marathon training never stops, doing the Hansons' half program for my annual 100% effort in the Harvest Half. Some of the workouts are close to that level too. Wednesdays are various 10k race pace intervals for a total of 38 minutes - i.e. matching my 10k PB with a few breaks added. 

Fridays are race pace runs, with 1k warm up and cool down either side. Not easy when part of a 70-80k week. 

I could do the ice-bucket challenge after everyone of these high speed sessions.

Calgary Corporate Challenge 10k

I was talked into this one to be honest, though I hear it's a fun day. The course for this coming Sunday's race is a bit Mickey Mouse with its bridges and inclines. I'd like to dip under 40 minutes for a second time, but that's a tall order. If I get a PB (39:23), I've probably cheated. 

Falling into a river, sky luging, and Half marathon training is half over?!

Blink and the time goes very quickly. If I had my choice, I'd go on holiday immediately after the marathon weekend each year. 2 weeks afterward was when I went away for 2 weeks. There's always a compromise involved with travel, but especially when China's involved. 

So, I started my current training program - Hanson's Half Marathon Method, which is similar to that of the full - about one third of the way through. 

There's one feature that could prove tough: The speed sessions on wednesdays give way to "strength runs" which amount to running 10k race/ PB pace for nearly 10k, split up into intervals. 

Probably quite a step up from previous half training. Hopefully it'll equip me with what I need to PB at my beloved Harvest Half on October 4, and get the AG medal I've long wished for. 

In the meantime, I've managed to squeeze in a few other things. Rafting on the Bow is a summer pleasure. I was quite good with the water gun, especially aiming in the air to give the entire rival crew of a raft a good soaking. 

This was before I left the most comprehensive soaking for myself. I got caught out by how the raft bounced off the river bank and flew off backwards. I finally met with the reason given to me for learning to swim from the age of 3: "one day you might fall off a boat." 

So I was never in any danger, but it's hard to get back on when said boat has round, squashy sides. 

A week later, I put on the gopro and took A-Chang to the newly open "sky luge" track at Olympic Park. Great fun, A-Chang certainly enjoyed it. 

See the film short here: http://youtu.be/0xfZ39on7II

Back in training land, my Saturday routine of bus to gym, work out and run home is much less of a chore in summer, needing no backpack or change of clothes. 

Fish Creek is still in full summer gorgeousness, a demonstration that despite the will to run in all weathers, it's a far more undilluted pleasure when it's not that season which cannot be named. 

Next up, on September 7, is the Calgary Corporate Challenge 10k. It's a familiar course, similar to the St Partrick's and Stampede 10k. The fiddly route is why I opt for the 5k in both. If I get a sub-40, I'll be celebrating. 

Keep on running 😊

Running and racing 5k with Dad

Training and touring

My Mum and Dad were here the past week for a visit. Among other things, Dad and I ran together a couple of times and also lined up for one of the MEC races on the final day of their visit. 

First run was on a Sunday, and the altitude in Calgary, 1,000 metres, was a little tough for him, though he finished up ok. On their last visit here in 2007, I was the old me and huffed and puffed to keep up. 

Tuesday, I took the bus to the gym, did my core stuff then ran 10k home. It's the first time I've done this "duathlon" since May, before the marathon. 

A drive down to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump later on. 

Wednesday was speed intervals, so I went back and forth in front of Dad to correct any wrong turns - there was one ("the wrong fork"). 10.5 k total for me. Although shorter than me, this photo makes Dad look about 4 foot (which he isn't). 

A trip to Fort Calgary for some history and Benny Hill-ing after that.

Thursday was weights and no run (/no fun) day, and Friday was a short 4k, including one at race pace. We had a drive around Kananaskis country later on.

Running roots

During their visit, Mum told me about the time I got my sports badge as an 8 year-old in the cubs (Boy Scouts). For the 50 metre sprint, I was last. For the 400 metre "distance race", I went almost the same pace as the 50 and passed everyone with just over 100 metres to go. A shock result at the time, so Mum says. An early sign of my modest level of talent? 

Race day

Saturday, 9am race. Arrived nice and early to get a parking space, which I thought would be tight (spot the Calgary race veteran). 

PB was 19:25 up to that point. During speed sessions for marathon training I had thought that this was beatable, although I had only been 2 weeks back into training after light running on holiday in Asia, not to mention eating like an Emperor's entourage. 

Dad does a local 5 miler each year (he's wearing the shirt), a 10 miler and has done several half marathons. 

Today was his first 5k however. He predicted he'd manage about 27 minutes and change for a guaranteed PB. 

The plan for me was to go with the flow for the first km knowing that it would likely be too fast, then keep it in the low 3:50s and speed up in the last k if possible. The course is an out and back next to the Bow River, slightly downhill for the first half. There's usually a north westerly headwind for the return direction too. 

10k started at 9, with the 5k due to start at 9:10, which was changed to 9:05. Some kids (10+ I think) lined up in the front row, which they probably shouldn't, however this race series is not overly serious. 

A busy start, and there was a runner with a shoulder bag/ purse (!) to get around. 

The trip hazards/ kids tried to stay at the front, lasting about 2 minutes. 

I settled down to 3:50/km picking a lady in front as a pacemaker. 

Counting those in front, which is a struggle for me even standing still, I guessed I was about 15th. At 2k there were 10k runners to pass. 

The 5 minute gap between races would have best been left at 10 minutes for both 5 and 10k-ers. Frequent trips to the grass, and I overtook my first pacemaker. 

The turnaround was tight, and the pathway full of the rest of the field coming the other way. This might have led to me and the 3 in front running on an adjacent pathway for a while and going a bit further than the 5k.

At race pace, the change to slight uphill was noticeable as well as a head wind of about 10 kmh. 3 runners in front slowed as a result, and I passed them within 2 minutes of the turnaround. I did quite a bit of satisfying overtaking for most of the race, not just kids and ladies with handbags.

Dad passed by in the other direction, thankfully 30 seconds before a glitch with my gopro stopped it recording. 

Catching up the next lady (lots of quick girls in this race), she found a little speed when I got to her shoulder to overtake. The same thing happened about 30 seconds later, but the 3rd time there was no response. I felt like staying behind, though I knew this would involve settling for missing a PB. 

At the 4k sign I had trouble breathing quickly enough, and now used the guy ahead as a target to stop myself slowing down. Blessed are the pacemakers. "There's the car park, almost there." "PB up ahead." "No more 5ks ever again." 

My target man casually looked round to check on me, having me covered if I were to find the extra speed, which I didn't. My time was the priority, although the cap on backwards is on the list of fashion choices I prefer to finish behind me. All I would need for the PB was to override the urge to coast. 

I crossed the line in 19:18, a PB by 7 seconds. In another 7 seconds I was lying down getting my breath back along with 3 or 4 others. I shook hands with a few of the "leave it all out there" club after finding my feet. That's the thing with the 5k: lung-busting, but ready for action again after a few minutes.

The official time was 19:20, though I think the clock (started for the 10k and minus 5 minutes) was slightly off, so I'll go with my watch. It says I did 5.05k, so could perhaps subtract 11 seconds but will stick to 19:18. 

Dad managed a 27:30, his predicted time. This race series doesn't do age categories (yet), nevertheless I declare him AG winner.

I was 6th overall, and 4th male. I have quite a collection of near podiums, but a PB beats a podium every time. Still, it's a good placing, not to mention I can't remember overtaking that many people. 

Afterglow

Post race, we headed to Bow Valley Ranche for brunch. Bambi was superbly cooked, and it was a beautiful summer's day in Alberta. A great day overall before Mum and Dad headed home the next morning.